The Rayner-Slade Amalgamation eBook

One of the detectives stirred uneasily—­he
did not quite understand the American’s light
and easy manner, and he seemed to suspect him of persiflage.

“We ought to be furnished with a list of the
missing articles,” he said. “That’s
the first thing.”

“By no means,” replied Fullaway.
“That, my dear sir, is neither the first, nor
the second, nor the third thing. There is much
to do before we get to that stage. At present,
you, gentlemen, cannot do anything. To-morrow
morning, perhaps, when I have consulted with Mademoiselle
de Longarde, I may call you in again—­or
call upon you. In the meantime, there’s
no need to detain you. Now,” he continued,
turning to the manager, when the detectives, somewhat
puzzled and bewildered, had left the room, “will
you see that your nicest supper is served—­for
three—­in this room at eleven o’clock,
against Mademoiselle’s return? Send up your
best champagne. And do not allow yourself to dwell
on Mademoiselle’s agitation on discovering her
loss. That agitation was natural. If it is
any consolation to you, I will give you a conclusion
which may be satisfactory to your peace of mind as
manager. What is it? Merely this—­that
though Mademoiselle de Longarde has undoubtedly lost
her jewels, they were certainly not stolen from her
in this hotel!”

CHAPTER IX

THE LADY’S MAID’S MOTHER

When the manager, much appeased and relieved in mind,
had gone, Fullaway tapped at the door of the bedroom,
summoned the pretty chambermaid, and handed her the
rosewood box.

“Put this back exactly where Mademoiselle has
kept it since she came here,” he commanded.
“Now you yourself—­you’re going
to stay in the rooms until she comes back from the
concert? That’s right—­if she
returns before my friend and I come up again, tell
her that we shall present ourselves at five minutes
to eleven. Come downstairs, Allerdyke,”
he proceeded, leading the way from the room.
“We must book rooms for the night here, so we’ll
send to the station for our things and make our arrangements,
after which we’ll smoke a cigar and talk—­I
am beginning to see chinks of daylight.”

He led Allerdyke down to the office, completed the
necessary arrangements, and went on to the smoking-room,
in a quiet corner of which he pulled out his cigar-case.

“Well?” he said. “What do you
think now?”

“I think you’re a smart chap,” answered
Allerdyke bluntly. “You did all that very
well. I said naught, but I kept an eye and an
ear open. You’ll do.”

“Very complimentary!—­but I wasn’t
asking you what you thought about me,” said
Fullaway, with a laugh. “I’m asking
you what you think of the situation, as illuminated
by this last episode?”

“Well, I’m still reflecting on what you
said to that manager chap,” answered Allerdyke.
“You really think this young woman has lost
her jewels?”